Read Online Frozen Charlotte by Priscilla Masters - Free Book Online Page B

didn’t realize she was holding a baby. It just looked like a blanket. If I’d known it was a baby obviously we would have dealt with her much quicker. But she just sat there,’ she repeated.
    Talith knew she felt guilty. ‘It wouldn’t have made any difference, really.’
    The nurse nodded. ‘I know that but I still feel bad that I didn’t at least go over to her and speak. To tell you the truth I was relieved she wasn’t one of the more demanding patients. Some of them can be quite difficult.’
    Talith looked at the nurse. She had one of those open faces, honest and true. ‘It really wouldn’t have made any difference, I promise.’
    She looked mollified at that.
    ‘Now then. At what time did you first notice her?’
    ‘Eight, I think.’ She looked uncertain. ‘I can’t be sure.’
    ‘And she was simply sitting quietly in the corner?’
    ‘Sort of crooning. She was looking down at her lap, tucking the blanket round her. She looked sort of . . .’ Lucy fumbled for the word and found it: ‘Serene. Contented.’
    ‘And when you spoke to her, later?’
    ‘She seemed startled, a bit shy.’ Lucy Ramshaw thought for a moment. ‘As though she didn’t want anyone to bother with her.’
    ‘What time was that?’
    ‘Nearer ten thirty. Things were beginning to quieten down and I wondered about her.’
    ‘OK,’ Talith said. ‘Did you notice anything else?’
    ‘Well – she was dressed fairly shabbily.’ Lucy frowned. ‘There was paint on her jeans.’
    ‘She said she’d been doing some decorating – well – more investigating a proposed loft conversion.’
    Lucy nodded. ‘Right – well – she was one of those people who faded into the background. I think she would have sat there all night if I hadn’t gone over to her.’
    ‘And when you did?’
    ‘She was in a sort of trance. She appeared vague. When I spoke to her she seemed startled almost as though she didn’t quite know where she was.’
    ‘And she let you take the baby from her?’
    Lucy looked distressed. ‘Not at first. I didn’t realize what it was.’ She closed her eyes against the creeping horror she had felt when she had realized that in the blanket was an infant who had not moved or cried in the entire time it had been in the department. ‘When I realized it was a baby I asked her to hand it to me and she did. Then I looked . . .’ She was stricken at the memory. ‘It was horrible. Those eye sockets. That blackened, papery skin. Awful. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. It felt so light in my arms. Then I saw what it was and – I almost dropped it.’ She went pale.
    ‘Then what?’
    ‘I must have shouted out. People came running.’ She fixed a pair of large blue-grey eyes on him. ‘I’m a bit hazy. It all happened so quickly. Someone must have taken the baby from me because I wasn’t holding it. That’s about all I remember.’
    ‘Thanks,’ Talith said. ‘I’m sorry to have to question you like this but I thought better here than in the station or at work.’
    Lucy Ramshaw gave a deep sigh. ‘Thanks. I suppose there’ll be an enquiry at the hospital,’ she said gloomily. ‘Just what I need with my wedding coming up.’
    ‘That’s up to the hospital,’ Talith said. ‘Not us. I would imagine they’ll want to play it down rather than make a big issue of it.’
    ‘I hope so,’ Lucy said, with feeling. Then: ‘Do you know anything about the circumstances? Was the baby hers? She looked a bit old for that. A grandparent?’
    ‘We don’t know yet.’
    ‘Or did she just find it?’
    ‘I can’t really discuss the case with you,’ Talith said kindly, ‘but don’t worry about it. No one blames you for anything. Anything at all. You acted just fine.’
    Lucy smiled then, a broad, wonderful smile which made Talith warm to her even more. ‘Would you like another coffee,’ she offered.
    ‘Thanks.’
    The walk was brisk which kept them warm. They parked at the bottom and threaded up the hill,